The mothers in blue

One day in mid-October, we visited Ngo Thi Phuong Vy, in Hamlet 4, Hung Tien Commune, Kim Son District. In her old house, Vy was busy cleaning and teaching her younger siblings before returning to Hanoi .

Sharing her story, Vy's eyes welled up with tears: "My family has five sisters. My mother passed away from cancer, and my father and older brother work hard to provide for us sisters' education. I used to feel very lonely and sad thinking about the misfortunes I had to endure, especially when I saw my friends being cared for and comforted by their mothers."

Despite her withdrawn and isolated nature, every time Vy saw her father struggling and her younger siblings, she tried to become a source of support for them. In 2021, in response to the "Godmother" program, Vy and her sisters were selected by the Women's Committee of the Provincial Police to receive encouragement and support, both materially and emotionally. Thanks to this, Vy's longing for her mother lessened, and she gradually became stronger and nurtured her dream of attending university.

"My mother passed away due to a terrible cancer. My older sister also has a serious illness. Therefore, I dream of becoming a doctor who can treat people's illnesses, so that there will be fewer orphaned and unfortunate children."

Throughout my high school years, I was constantly encouraged, motivated, and helped in every way by the women in the Provincial Police Women's Committee. Because of this, I recently passed the entrance exam to Hanoi Medical University. For me, these women are like my second mothers, who have instilled in me hope and faith in the beautiful and kind things in life," Vy further shared.

The mothers in "blue shirts" regularly visit and encourage Ngo Thi Phuong Vy (in yellow shirt) in Hamlet 4, Hung Tien Commune, Kim Son District.

Leaving Vy's family, we visited Dinh Thi Thuy Van in Yen Binh ward, Tam Diep city - one of the students also selected by the Women's Association of the Provincial Police's leadership and force building unit to be sponsored.

Thúy Vân lost her mother at a young age, and her family faced extremely difficult circumstances. With the encouragement of the "blue-uniformed" mothers (referring to the teachers in blue uniforms), and the support of her teachers and friends, Vân always strived and worked hard in her studies, achieving excellent results. In 2022, Vân topped the entrance exam for Nguyễn Huệ High School. In 2024, Thúy Vân was admitted to the Military Medical Academy with a high score.

Dinh Thi Thuy Van said: "With the financial support from the Women's Association of the Staff and Force Building Block each year, my family's burden has been eased, allowing me to focus on my studies. Although my mother is no longer here, I am proud to have more kind and capable mothers. I will try my best to study well to live up to everyone's expectations and support."

Vy and Vân are two of many orphaned students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been sponsored by female police officers in the province under the "Godmother" program launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Duyen, Head of the Women's Committee of the Provincial Police, said: Recognizing the humanitarian nature and significance of the "Godmother" program, the Executive Committee of the Provincial Police Women's Association (now the Women's Committee) advised on the development of a plan and implemented it at all levels of the Women's Association within the Provincial Police with the motto "Wherever there are orphans, there is a Godmother."

After more than two years of implementation, the Women's Associations of the Provincial Police units have provided support and sponsorship to 18 children with particularly difficult circumstances, with a monthly allowance of 500,000 VND until they complete high school. In addition, the officers regularly visit and encourage the children to overcome challenges in life. During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), the officers also visit and encourage the children and their families.

With their compassionate and tolerant hearts, these "mothers in blue" have become a pillar of support and a source of hope for orphaned children, helping them to rise above their circumstances and continue pursuing their dreams of going to school. Among them, many have been admitted to universities and colleges such as Hanoi Medical University, Military Medical Academy, National Economics University, and Vietnam National University of Agriculture…

The Women's Association of the Kim Son District Police visited and presented gifts to the children who are their "godchildren" in Phat Diem town.

Throughout the implementation of the Program, all levels of the Women's Union have closely coordinated with women's unions at all levels, local Party committees and authorities, and religious organizations. Therefore, the "Godmother" model has truly spread to all segments of the population and to local Party committees and authorities.

For example, in March 2023, the Women's Association of the Ninh Binh City Police Department mobilized resources to secure a donation of 50 million VND from a sponsor to completely renovate the house of a disadvantaged family in Ninh Nhat commune.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Duyen, Head of the Women's Committee of the Provincial Police, shared: "The family is a spiritual anchor, a warm home, a place that nurtures the soul and character of children. But when children are unfortunately orphaned or born into difficult circumstances, they desperately need the care and support from organizations and the community."

Each member of the Women's Committee of the Provincial Police Department is a grandmother, mother, or older sister, so they understand the disadvantages and losses faced by these children. Throughout the implementation of the program, we have always hoped to protect and support them both materially and spiritually so that they can overcome difficulties, study with peace of mind, and look forward to a bright future."

With their warm and compassionate hearts, the "Godmother" program has created the image of a close, warm, and loving "mother in a blue uniform" in life. These comrades are like vibrant flowers that further enhance the qualities of Vietnamese women, worthy of the eight golden words bestowed by President Ho Chi Minh: "Heroic, indomitable, loyal, and capable."

Text and photos: Minh Hai

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/nhung-nguoi-me-ao-xanh-/d20241016074335324.htm